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ADHD and overthinking often go hand in hand. There may be times when random thoughts just pop up and spiral into deeper reflections as you do menial things, just like brushing your teeth.
Learn more about what ADHD and overthinking can feel like, read some relatable anecdotes from Reddit discussions, and explore ways to make brushing your teeth more interesting.
🔑 Key takeaways
- Brushing teeth can be more difficult than it looks when ADHD and overthinking get in the way.
- Factors such as the taste of the toothpaste and the feeling of the toothbrush against the teeth can make toothbrushing uncomfortable for those with ADHD.
- The boredom of brushing one’s teeth makes it easy for those with ADHD to delay or skip it.
- Using electric toothbrushes and exploring different types of toothpaste can make the routine task of brushing teeth more enjoyable.
- If brushing feels too overwhelming, alternatives such as flossing, mouthwash, and chewing gum can help with dental health.
Why ADHD and overthinking may go hand in hand when brushing teeth
Symptoms of ADHD can manifest when doing a simple task such as brushing one’s teeth. Here are some explanations:
1. Sensory sensitivities
Individuals with ADHD are more sensitive to stimuli.
A study found that people with ADHD symptoms were much more likely to report sensory processing issues. The more issues an individual has with sensory processing, the higher their level of ADHD tends to be.
Research has also discussed the possibility that these sensory processing difficulties may be related to alterations in brain structures and the dysregulation of dopamine.
Sensority sensitivities can manifest in everyday routines. Sensations such as the feeling of the brush scraping against teeth and the texture of the toothpaste can trigger discomfort. This can lead to overthinking about how unpleasant it feels to brush their teeth.
2. Challenges in executive function
Executive functioning, which includes task initiation, time management, working memory, and planning and organization, can also be a factor.
Individuals with ADHD have struggles with executive functioning, which is the ability to sustain attention through different steps in completing tasks. Brushing teeth may seem very simple, but it actually involves these steps:
- Deciding to brush your teeth
- Heading to the bathroom
- Getting your toothbrush
- Looking for the toothpaste
- Brushing your teeth
- Spitting out the toothpaste
- Rinsing your mouth and toothbrush
- Putting the toothbrush back in place
Those with ADHD may struggle to recall the exact steps of brushing their teeth and when to actually do it. When the task gets overwhelming, they may spiral into different thoughts: “Should I just brush my teeth later? “Did I brush my teeth in this part already?”
3. Mind wandering
Mind wandering happens when your thoughts drift away from the task you’re supposed to be doing and instead focus on unrelated thoughts and ideas. While not all mind wandering is bad, there are times when it can become detrimental.
According to a study, there are two types of mind wandering:
- Deliberate mind wandering: intentional and can be beneficial
- Spontaneous mind wandering: unplanned and often disruptive
The study said that excessive spontaneous mind wandering is present in individuals with ADHD, and it occurs because of deficits in executive functioning and in specific parts of the brain, particularly the posterior cingulate cortex and ventromedial prefrontal cortex.
In addition to the physiological deficits, individuals with ADHD may experience mind wandering while brushing their teeth due to inattention symptoms and low motivation associated with toothbrushing as a routine and repetitive task.
Due to these, people may become deeply engrossed in their thoughts or get lost in a daydream while brushing their teeth.
Thoughts people with ADHD have while brushing their teeth.
Individuals with ADHD are active in many Reddit discussions, including topics such as brushing their teeth. Below are some of their thoughts and insights they share:
1. “I hate the feeling of brushing my teeth.”
A post on r/adhdwomen discussed why users find toothbrushing difficult, and most of them explained that it’s due to the sensory issues it causes.
User notoriousrdc finds brushing teeth unpleasant. They dislike the sensation of cold water on their teeth and find the texture of toothpaste disgusting. User lgmringo adds that they hate the feeling of water dripping around their wrist while brushing their teeth.
Other users agree, also saying that they haven’t found a toothpaste or a toothbrush that feels good for them. User MacaroonExpensive143 shared that brushing has too much sensory input, and hates the feeling of the brush against their teeth.
Some users on r/ADHD share that brushing their teeth triggers their gag reflex. User Glamorouselbow says that brushing the back side of their teeth makes them gag, and it gets even worse when they’re stressed about it. User Mehsue shares that they’ve struggled with brushing their teeth for 3 to 4 months and would throw up if they brush for too long.
2. “Brushing my teeth feels like a chore.”
Other Reddit users in r/adhdwomen find brushing teeth very boring. They find brushing their teeth very monotonous and routine, which makes it hard for them to maintain.
According to user holybatjunk, the long-term negative consequences of not brushing teeth are not instant, so it’s easy to ignore them. Similarly, user notoriousrdc finds zero satisfaction in brushing, and user f_uckincelss also says that the task feels like it takes forever, even though it only takes 2 to 3 minutes.
According to user anybramble, people with ADHD struggle with boring tasks because of the lack of an immediate dopamine reward system in the brain for doing such tasks. In contrast, neurotypical brains release dopamine immediately, making these tasks rewarding and motivating people to complete them regularly.
3. “When is the perfect time to brush my teeth?”
Some people struggle to decide when the perfect time of day is to brush their teeth.
User BorderlineRatLady shares that they think brushing before breakfast leaves an unpleasant taste, while brushing right after eating makes them gag. They also believe that food particles become trapped in the toothbrush bristles, which they find disgusting.
User personaluna had a similar sentiment. Whenever they wake up, they skip brushing because they think, “What if I need to eat soon?” Likewise, they also skip brushing after eating and before going to bed because they believe that it will taste weird.
Others have trouble with time management. According to user koolit6, they never get to complete their nighttime routine, which includes brushing, because they don’t know when to start getting ready for bed and what to do first. As a result, they just push it off until they fall asleep.
4. “Did I brush already?”
It may be due to time blindness or the short attention span, but most Reddit users also say that they usually forget if they actually brushed already.
For user Smiling_tree, brushing their teeth causes them to zone out, which takes longer to finish because they keep forgetting whether they were done or not, resulting in them having to brush their teeth again.
A similar sentiment was shared by user scnozzybear, who says that when they start brushing, they forget how long they’ve been doing it for and end up wondering whether they should start over or believe they’ve brushed their whole mouth already.
Others simply forget to do it after eating because their mind keeps moving on to the next thing they should do.
As shared by user tidbitsofblah, brushing their teeth requires focus the whole time, or they might miss brushing specific sections otherwise. They would lose track of the areas they’ve already brushed, making them restart brushing multiple times.
5. “I hate the taste of my toothpaste.”
Aside from the sensory issues that individuals with ADHD experience while brushing their teeth, another concern is the taste of the toothpaste they’re using. A discussion on r/ADHD was about how their toothpaste overly stimulates them.
Many users on this discussion page report being particularly sensitive to mint-flavored toothpaste. Although the mint flavor may symbolize cleanliness and freshness, those individuals with ADHD and sensory processing issues may find the flavor too intense and overwhelming.
In fact, user His_little_pet shares that their mint toothpaste triggered such severe sensory processing issues that they had to avoid brushing their teeth altogether.
User musical_wombat shared that they cannot handle the taste and are unable to tolerate its strong, sweet flavor. User sbmskxdudn had a similar comment, stating that regular mint toothpaste makes them feel as though they have numerous tiny cuts in their mouth.
How to make brushing teeth more interesting
There are several ways to make brushing your teeth more enjoyable and less monotonous. Here are some that you can try to switch things up:
1. Buy an electric toothbrush
A common suggestion from Reddit users is to buy an electric toothbrush to make brushing their teeth more interesting.
User laklustre shared how their electric toothbrush features an integrated app that displays achievements and a real-time visual representation of mouth cleanliness during brushing. They said that these features were visually stimulating and made them look forward to brushing again.
Using electric toothbrushes with built-in timers can also be beneficial in preventing you from losing track of time. User thekittysays also suggests getting a kids' toothbrush that lights up and plays a song once you’ve hit 2 minutes, which can be helpful, especially for those with time blindness.
User concerneddogmom shared that their electric toothbrush autostops after 2 minutes and beeps every 30 seconds. This allows them to assign each 30 seconds to a specific part of their mouth. They suggest this routine in the Reddit discussion:
2. Try different types of toothpaste
Many individuals with ADHD find the taste of mint-flavored toothpaste too strong. You can try other flavor alternatives, such as cinnamon, vanilla, orange, and even non-flavored toothpastes.
Trying out different kinds of toothpaste can also curb the boredom associated with brushing teeth. User Optimal-Mycologist65 posted on r/adhdwomen, saying that they’ve started buying smaller toothpaste tubes from different brands, which helps them become excited to try something new.
You may also consider purchasing non-foaming toothpaste, formulated for individuals sensitive to intense flavors, to help address sensory processing concerns related to brushing your teeth.
3. Try alternatives to toothbrushing
For individuals who experience sensory sensitivities when using a toothbrush, you can try these alternatives:
- Flossing: Using dental floss reduces the likelihood of tooth decay by removing plaque and food particles between the teeth.
- Water flosser: Water flossers were developed for individuals with limited manual dexterity and are also recommended for those with orthodontic devices, such as braces. Research indicates that water flossers are just as effective as regular flossing in removing plaque between teeth.
- Chewing gum: Chewing gum, specifically sugar-free varieties, has been found to decrease the incidence of tooth decay and cavities.
- Mouthwash: While it is not considered a replacement for brushing and flossing, using mouthwash helps reduce and control plaque, bad breath, tooth decay, and gingivitis.
4. Do other stuff while brushing teeth
A Reddit discussion on r/ADHD compiles suggestions on other activities you can do while brushing your teeth, to make the task more habitual and to add more novelty to the routine:
- Listening to a podcast
- Brushing your teeth while taking a shower
- Watching a YouTube video on your phone
- Scrolling through social media
- Doing active exercises, such as standing on one leg or dancing around
Reddit users report that pairing the brushing of their teeth with another activity helps them establish their routine more effectively.
For user adhdleoqueen, she puts on a podcast and listens to it while doing something else, such as brushing her teeth and washing up, which makes their routine easier. User aliceroyal places their toothbrush and toothpaste in the shower so they can do both at the same time.
To ease boredom, user RevolutionaryPin6091 wanders their house while brushing, while user CryHavoc3000 puts on some music and dances. By doing other tasks, many individuals with ADHD find it easier to keep the habit consistent.
Wrap up
ADHD and overthinking can manifest in the most seemingly simple tasks, such as brushing teeth. What may seem very easy to others can be difficult for those with ADHD, due to their challenges in sensory processing and impaired executive functioning.
Fortunately, there are ways to make brushing one’s teeth more interesting. Electric toothbrushes, different types of toothpaste, alternatives to traditional toothbrushing, and engaging in other activities while brushing teeth can provide more novelty to the routine.
Frequently asked questions on ADHD and overthinking
Is overthinking while brushing teeth a sign of ADHD?
Not necessarily. However, it may be a common occurrence in those with ADHD, paired with symptoms of inattention, forgetfulness, and sensory sensitivities.
How can I make brushing my teeth easier if I have ADHD?
There are multiple ways to make brushing your teeth more manageable, such as trying out other toothpaste flavors, moving while brushing, setting alarms to remind you of your routine, and exploring alternative options like flossing, mouthwash, or chewable toothpaste tablets.
How long should I brush my teeth if I tend to lose track of time?
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth for at least two minutes twice a day.
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References
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- Bozhilova, N. S., Michelini, G., Kuntsi, J., & Asherson, P. (2018). Mind wandering perspective on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 92, 464–476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.07.010
- Chewing gum. American Dental Association. (n.d.). https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/chewing-gum
- Bijlenga, D., Tjon-Ka-Jie, J. Y. M., Schuijers, F., & Kooij, J. J. S. (2017). Atypical sensory profiles as core features of adult ADHD, irrespective of autistic symptoms. European psychiatry : the journal of the Association of European Psychiatrists, 43, 51–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2017.02.481
- Jurek, L., Duchier, A., Gauld, C., Hénault, L., Giroudon, C., Fourneret, P., Cortese, S., & Nourredine, M. (2025). Sensory Processing in Individuals With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Compared With Control Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, S0890-8567(25)00209-6. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2025.02.019
- Panagiotidi, M., Overton, P. G., & Stafford, T. (2018). The relationship between ADHD traits and sensory sensitivity in the general population. Comprehensive psychiatry, 80, 179–185. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.10.008
- Rotella, K., Bosma, M. L., McGuire, J. A., Sunkara, A., DelSasso, A., Gaff, M., Milleman, K., & Milleman, J. (2022). Habits, Practices and Beliefs Regarding Floss and Mouthrinse among Habitual and Non-Habitual Users. Journal of dental hygiene : JDH, 96(3), 46–58. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35654569/